Tipsy Talk

For my first-ever CNC project, the challenge was to design a bottle opener inspired by the theme Hyperbole. Naturally, I went all in and machined a rotary phone—because what screams “over-the-top” more than turning the infamous drunk dial into a functional tool for opening your next drink?

Design Story

Brainstorm

Brainstorm (Beyond the Obvious)

I wanted the design to capture more than just function—it needed to express intangible qualities. I explored how sound, nostalgia, and the quirky rituals around drinking could inspire something unique and memorable.

The theme was Hyperbole, so I embraced the chaos. I started with brainstorming sessions, creating mind maps, and sketching over 50 bold, exaggerated concepts. From outrageous to slightly practical, no idea was off-limits at this stage.

This project was a crash course in precision and creativity. Every step—translating the rotary phone’s form, machining, and refining details—pushed my technical and design skills. The result? A bottle opener that’s as fun as it is functional, with a story to tell.

The infamous drunk dial felt like the perfect exaggeration for this project. It’s bold, playful, and deeply relatable. I envisioned a bottle opener as a rotary phone—a nostalgic nod to this iconic moment, while also being geometrically and visually intriguing.

Making it Real

The “Call Me” Concept

Blueprint

Timeline

Processes

Lateral Design Thinking

CNC-Machining

Resin Printing

5 weeks

Party of One

3-Axis CNC

Formlabs Printer